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SeSawaya · Dec 18, 2003, 09:45 PM

Dose anyone have one of these?

My main question is do I HAVE to have a subscrition to a service to use it as a VCR?

Thinking about getting one just for a video storage device while editing movies too.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

thanks
Kent

Uncle Skeleton · Dec 18, 2003, 10:47 PM

what do you mean by "editing movies?"

also, while it seems distasteful to be stuck with subscription fees, they are so low (compared with the cost of the box and compared with all your other bills like cable/dish/internet/phone/etc, and the service does offer a lot) everyone pretty much agrees they're worth it

SeSawaya · Dec 18, 2003, 11:09 PM

A friend of mine last year told me he uses his for video storage (HD) as he is editing using FCP. I havent talked to him in a while so I'm trying to get a hold of him.

thanks

Uncle Skeleton · Dec 19, 2003, 12:42 AM

you can download the video from the tivo, but they really really don't want you to do it, so it's tricky (for example, you can only do it with the Series 1 boxes; no one has cracked the Series 2 ones yet). But if your friend can show you how it might be worthwhile (get him to show you exactly how before you lose contact with him again)

vmpaul · Dec 19, 2003, 02:45 PM

I'm curious about your question as well.

Can you use a TIVO box like a VCR without the subscription/phone line connection? I have no problem recording things with my VCR so the TV listing is something I don't need. I have Comcast cable for that. I just want to get rid of VHS Tapes. They suck so bad after a couple of tapings.

I now you can get a TIVO box on eBay for pretty cheap. Even ones that you can put your own HD in to.

SomeToast · Dec 21, 2003, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by vmpaul:
Can you use a TIVO box like a VCR without the subscription/phone line connection?

As long as it's a Series 1, yes. You'll get the occasional nag screen, but it can still be programmed as a "dumb" VCR. Series 2 Tivos won't function without a subscription.

The service is definitely worthwhile, though, especially if you have DirecTV. With a DirecTV combo unit, not only do you get two-channel simultaneous recording, but the monthly Tivo subscription is reduced to $4.95.

With the number of times shows get shuffled around, "super-sized" or preempted, I'm glad that the Tivo keeps track of it. Hell, it was a few weeks before I realized The Practice had moved to Mondays, and about as long to see they moved it back to Sunday again.

Originally posted by vmpaul:
I now you can get a TIVO box on eBay for pretty cheap. Even ones that you can put your own HD in to.

I recently put a new pair of hard drives in my three year-old Sony SAT-T60 to bump capacity from 35 to 184 hours. Next is the cache card/TivoWeb add-on to speed up directory listings and give me network access to the box.

If you haven't been there already, the Tivo Community Forum is an excellent place for additional information.

JacobyO · Dec 22, 2003, 02:49 PM

I love my Tivo!! I don't even watch live TV anymore.
That said, if you have a digicam that allows you to line into it you can record the program into the camera and then download to your Mac. I know this is an extra step as opposed to going directly to the computer but since the Series II won't allow for it, that is my work around.

The subscription service kicks ass, and is waaaay better than the comcast digital cable menu. Plus, now you can get the home media option which allows you to play your itunes right thru the Tivo and thus thru the AV system.

I don't know why you would want to store video on the Tivo box. A large Hard Drive would be much more ideal.